Researchers develop innovative new method to recycle fluoride from long-lived ‘forever chemicals’

Dr Thomas Schlatzer and Dr Christopher Goult inspect the degraded Teflon sealing rings that started the team’s investigations into this new method for recycling PFAS chemicals. Credit: Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford. PFAS – which stands for poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances – have been produced in large quantities for…

Oxford launches first human aerosol TB challenge trial

The University of Oxford in partnership with the Coler Lab at Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI) has begun a new clinical trial called TB045, which aims to test tuberculosis (TB) vaccine safety and the host immune response in a first-in-man aerosol mycobacterial challenge infection model with healthy adult volunteers. TB…

Expert Comment: The Modern Slavery Act at 10 – what have we learnt for human rights?

Former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May, who can justifiably take the political credit for the passage of the UK’s ground-breaking  Modern Slavery Act 10 years ago today, famously described modern slavery as ‘the greatest human rights issue of our time.’Our experience of modern slavery research for policy teaches us that…

How elephants plan journeys: New study reveals energy-saving strategies

Being an elephant is no easy task. As massive herbivores weighing several tons, they must consume vast amounts of low-calorie vegetation every day. However, their sheer size means that moving around to find food costs significant physical effort. Literally every step matters—especially in the vast, often harsh landscapes they traverse.…

Oxford tops national spinout rankings in 2025 report

The report finds that just ten universities are responsible for 53% of the UK’s spinouts, with Oxford securing the top position. Oxford’s success reflects its world-class research base, deep commercialisation expertise, and a strong network of investors and partners.This year’s report also highlights a significant reduction in the equity stakes…

Research into chimpanzee ‘engineers’ has implications for understanding human technological evolution

These findings, published in the journal iScience, have important implications for understanding the technical abilities associated with the making of perishable tools – a topic which remains a highly unknown aspect of human technological evolution.Termites are a good source of energy, fat, vitamins, minerals and protein for chimpanzees. To eat…

Oxford marks World Tuberculosis Day as vaccine trials continue

In 2023, Tuberculosis (TB) caused more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and although largely unheard of in the developed world by the late 20th century, cases have been rising globally in recent years and it continues to place an enormous…

New biopsy technique found to improve prostate cancer detection

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the developed world. The most widely used method of diagnosing prostate cancer involves a biopsy that passes a needle through the lining of the lower bowel (the rectum) and into the prostate gland, which is performed under local anaesthetic. This is called…

World Happiness Report 2025 shows people are much kinder than we expect

This year’s report pushes us to look beyond traditional determinants like health and wealth. It turns out that sharing meals and trusting others are even stronger predictors of wellbeing than expected. In this era of social isolation and political polarisation we need to find ways to bring people around the…

Researchers and volunteers unite to uncover spectacular space discoveries in new satellite data

This early data release showcases the amazing images that we will receive from the Euclid telescope. Even in this tiny area (less than 0.5% of the Euclid survey), Euclid has revealed millions of galaxies in exquisite detail.Dr Aprajita Verma (Department of Physics, University of Oxford)The release of the first survey…

University of Oxford establishes Oxford EARTH, a new programme for sustainable resource research

Oxford EARTH is the University tackling the critical challenges of our time through our world-leading, interdisciplinary research. Sustainable resource use is fundamental to long term prosperity, and this programme brings together expertise from across the sciences, engineering, and social sciences to pioneer innovative solutions. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry,…

Expert Comment: What is the ‘digital gender gap’?

The spread of the internet and mobile phones has been one of the most significant technological revolutions of the 21st century.Digital technologies have become integral to many aspects of our lives and have brought wide ranging benefits to many, including greater information, better connectivity, and access to services in more…

Oxford researcher reveals hidden Alfred Tennyson text using innovative imaging techniques

Dr Michael J Sulliivan, Credit: John Cairns Dr Sullivan’s team has been using multispectral imaging, along with X-ray fluorescence and fibre-optic reflectance spectroscopy, to explore previously hidden parts of manuscripts. Multispectral imaging involves capturing a variety of images in different spectral bands, or wavelengths, from infrared to ultraviolet. By imaging…

More than 70 local school pupils will attend Oxford for sport and education as community initiative doubles in size

The Oxford Young Sport Leaders Programme began as a pilot with Greyfriars School in the autumn of 2023 and includes sport sessions with University athletes and interactive sport-related workshops led by Oxford academics and departments.The success of the pilot led to an expansion of the Programme in 2024, when The…

Latest results from 20+ year Oxford study reveals ongoing impacts of global crises on young people

Researchers from the University of Oxford have followed the lives of 12,000 children in Ethiopia, India (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh), Peru, and Vietnam since 2002, informing meaningful policy change to improve the lives of children and young people growing up in poverty. Preliminary findings from the seventh survey round, with the…

Role of Physician and Anaesthetic Associates in UK healthcare challenged in largest ever review

The research, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and led by Professor Trisha Greenhalgh and Professor Martin McKee, is the most comprehensive UK-based analysis of peer-reviewed research into PA and AA roles to date. It was written to inform the ongoing government-commissioned Leng Review which is examining the effectiveness and safety of these roles in…

New study finds care-experienced young people face higher education hurdles

According to new research published today by the Rees Centre at the Department of Education, University of Oxford, four times fewer care leavers and others with experience of children’s social care enter higher education by age 22.  The report, 'Pathways into and through higher education for young people with experience…

The changing chorus: Study shows how movements and memories influence birdsong evolution

We were excited to find clear evidence that even at small scales—within neighbourhoods rather than whole populations—the movements and life histories of individual birds actively shape the songs they sing.Lead researcher Dr Nilo Merino Recalde, Department of Biology, University of Oxford.The researchers spent three years collecting over twenty thousand hours…

New research reveals mentoring improves children’s honesty years later

A new study led by the University of Oxford has found that mentoring programmes can significantly increase honesty in children, with effects lasting years after the intervention. The research, 'Malleability of Preferences for Honesty', forthcoming in The Economic Journal, shows that preferences for truth-telling are not fixed traits but can…

Tropical forests in the Americas are struggling to keep pace with climate change

HomeNewsTropical forests in the Americas are struggling to keep pace with climate change Tropical rainforests play a vital role in global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. However, a major new study led by Dr. Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez from the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute (ECI), reveals that forests across the Americas…

Oxford and OpenAI launch collaboration to advance research and education

Through the five-year collaboration, students and faculty staff are now able to gain access to research grant funding, enterprise-level security and cutting-edge AI tools to enhance teaching, learning and research. The initiative builds on Oxford’s investment in strengthening the AI capabilities and skills of all staff and students with its AI…

Expert Comment: Is an interdisciplinary research approach key to tackling global challenges?

What is driving the new ‘interdisciplinary turn’? As Director of TORCH, an interdisciplinary research centre based in Oxford’s Humanities Division, my frequent conversations with global counterparts oscillate between gloom over global crises and excitement over our new interdisciplinary initiatives. These two subjects are closely related.Several factors have driven interdisciplinarity’s current revivification,…

New AI-powered tool could enhance forensic investigations of traumatic brain injuries

TBI is a critical public health issue, with severe and long-term neurological consequences. In forensic investigations, determining whether an impact could have caused a reported injury is crucial for legal proceedings, yet there is currently no standardised, quantifiable approach to do this. The new study demonstrates how machine learning tools…

Centre for Democratic Resilience established to address global threats to democracy

Democracy is under threat worldwide. In 2023, global freedom declined for the 18th consecutive year across all regions and levels of democratic performance. In historically democratic strongholds such as Europe and the United States, growing political polarisation and the rise of populist authoritarian movements pose significant challenges. In response, the University…

IOI awards £5m to Oxford consortium to develop new therapies for drug-resistant tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is the oldest and most deadly disease in human history, causing over 1.2 million deaths every year. TB is an infectious airborne disease that mainly affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).The main treatment option for TB is long courses of multiple antibiotics.…

Lifestyle and environmental factors affect health and ageing more than our genes

The researchers used data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants to assess the influence of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on ageing, age-related diseases, and premature death. The study is published in Nature Medicine.Key findings:environmental factors explained 17% of the variation in…

Lord Hague’s Chancellor admission speech

Lord Hague of Richmond has been officially admitted as Oxford’s 160th Chancellor in a ceremony that took place at the Sheldonian Theatre today after winning the election for the Chancellor of the University of Oxford role in November 2024.Õrātor Publice, ita exordīrī velim ut grātiās tibi ex animō agam, ut quī tali…

Lord Hague officially admitted as Oxford University’s Chancellor

In his speech, Lord Hague said: ‘I thank all of you, the Convocation, for electing me as your chancellor and for your enthusiastic welcome in recent weeks. Every visit I have made so far and every conversation, has intensified my excitement about the years to come. I happily dedicate myself…

New study shows how AI can help prepare the world for the next pandemic

A new study published in Nature outlines for the first time how advances in AI can accelerate breakthroughs in infectious disease research and outbreak response.The study,  which is published following last week’s AI Action Summit and amidst increasing global debate on AI investment and regulation, puts particular emphasis on safety,…

Expert Comment: Can the UK deliver the carbon storage needed to meet climate goals without taxpayer billions?

Meeting our climate targets requires rapidly reducing fossil fuel use. But we're far off track, and the science is clear: to reach net zero by 2050, we will also need to permanently store vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) underground. This is especially crucial for some industries, such as cement…

Expert Comment: Paris AI Summit misses opportunity for global AI governance

Following previous summits at Bletchley Park (2023) and Seoul (2024), global leaders re-convened at the Paris AI Summit this month to find a shared direction for the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). The Declaration agreed at Paris, signed by fifty-seven states and bodies such as the UN, the OECD, and the…

New study highlights ways to future-proof cocoa production

This Valentine’s Day, millions of pounds worth of chocolate will be exchanged as gifts, but climate change and biodiversity loss imperil future global supplies of this treat. A new research study led by the University of Oxford and published today (14 February) demonstrates that sustainable agricultural practices that both protect…

Inspiring Sheldonian Series continues to celebrate intellectual curiosity and diversity of thought

‘Are we alone in the universe?’ and ‘What does it mean to be human?’ were among the questions explored when another large audience of staff, students and alumni gathered at the Sheldonian Theatre to enjoy the University’s second Sheldonian Series event on Tuesday 11 February.Launched in Michaelmas and convened by…

Majority support moderation on social media platforms, global survey shows

The global debate on whether and how social media content should be regulated has flared up again in recent months. Citing freedom of expression, the platform operators X and Meta have relaxed regulations intended to restrict discriminatory statements. Meanwhile, Australia has banned social media access for children under 16.There is…

Pioneering real-time translation tech saves charity rowers

Row4Ukraine is a charity awareness-driving mission designed to highlight the human cost of the war in Ukraine and raise funds for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian service personnel. The team comprised injured servicemen from the UK and Ukraine, working together to row 3,000 miles from Gran Canaria to Barbados in less…

Oxford Martin School epilepsy programme launches innovative research centre

Researchers from academic institutions in Africa, South America, the United States, and Europe congregated to celebrate the launch and demonstrate their commitment to global epilepsy research and care.Based at Wolfson College within the University of Oxford, and generously supported by the BAND Foundation, the Centre for Global Epilepsy will address…

Sir Jim Ratcliffe receives University of Oxford’s highest recognition award for philanthropy

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, has been presented with the Sheldon Medal by the University of Oxford in recognition of the company’s exceptionally generous support for research into antimicrobial resistance. A £100 million donation from INEOS in 2021 enabled the University to establish the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial…